Also preparing to go are about 50 soldiers from the brigade headquarters, including brigade commander Col. Jay Hopkins, and about two dozen soldiers from the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, Friar said.

Its sister unit, the 2-501st, recently led a task force of about 300 soldiers who helped with relief efforts in East Texas after Hurricane Harvey. The 2-501st also is prepared to go to Puerto Rico, if called upon, to take some of its Chinook helicopters, but it was not included in the troop estimate for this mission. Chinooks also can be used to transport supplies and people.